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Opening HoursWhere to go in Central America
The total land area of Central America could fit into the USA more than three times over, and if we took Mexico out of the equation this would go up to eighteen times. However, in this case, size means nothing, as the culture, history and beauty these small countries (and one rather larger one) contain is huge. There is the incredible biodiversity of Costa Rica, the authentic Latin feel of Guatemala, the beautiful beaches of Mexico and the hidden gem that is Nicaragua, while the laid-back philosophy of the local people can be felt throughout the region. This is without even mentioning the ancient ruins, spectacular jungles and volcanic lunar-like landscapes that are dotted all over the region. With so many possibilities of where to go Central America, we've put together our top picks for each of the countries in the region below.
Where to go in Central America
Showing 1 - 9 of 9 destinations
Belize
Formerly British Honduras, Belize is a country defined by various cultures, languages, and ethnic groups including descendants of the Mayans,...
Costa Rica
Costa Rica is a picture perfect and pocket-sized country with two beautiful coastlines separated by a spine of extremely active volcanoes.
Guatemala
One of the more 'original' destinations on the Original Travel books, Guatemala is a near perfect distillation of all that's so alluring about...
Mexico
Forget Cancun, Mexico is a truly diverse country, with a vast array of attractions for travellers of all tastes.
Panama
The crumbling colonial Casco Viejo is a delight to wander around on foot, and of course, seeing the canal in action is something not to be missed.
El Salvador
Sitting between Guatemala and Honduras on Central America’s western coast, El Salvador is the regions smallest and least visited country. Ravaged...
Cuba
Incomparable Cuba is on the cusp of big changes. Head there before the magic is gone forever.
Honduras
The world is pretty much split into people who know nothing about Honduras, and those that have vaguely heard of Copan – one of the finest...
Nicaragua
New favourite Nicaragua, bordered by Honduras to the north and Costa Rica to the south, is the largest country in the region and famous for its...
Showing 1 - 9 of 9 destinations
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What to do in Central America
Showing 1 - 9 of 30 activities
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Tocori Waterfalls Riding Tour
Explore the private Tocori Biological Reserve, the Tocori waterfalls and the beautiful beaches of Manuel Antonio National Park on a riding trip...
Teotihuacan Pyramids
Near to Mexico City lies the unmissable - and enormous - pre-Aztec site of San Juan Teotihuacán.
Gastronomy in Mexico City
Mexican cuisine was added to the intangible UNESCO World Heritage list back in 2010, therefore it seems only right that whilst exploring the...
Art Tours in Mexico City
As the birthplace of the legendary feminist artist Frida Kahlo, there is understandably a vibrant and creative artistic presence within Mexico...
Historical Mexico City
Mexico has a history almost as colourful as its fabrics, art and cuisine, and the capital city has played a vital role over the years, through...
San Juan de Chamula
The fairly banal (in comparison) exterior does not prepare you for the surreal goings-on inside, and to see it really is to believe it.
Yaxchilan & Bonampak
Gaining access to the Yaxchilan site is notoriously difficult, meaning very few visitors make the trip. However we have had a word with our Mexican...
Gastronomy in Oaxaca
Mexican cuisine was recently granted UNESCO World Heritage status, making this the first national cuisine to merit such exalted eminence. We’re...
Arts & Crafts in Oaxaca
Forget the food (OK, ignore that) - Oaxaca is also Mexico’s craft capital. We can arrange visits to artisanal villages such as Teotitlan del...
Day of the Dead Celebrations
The Day of the Dead festival takes place from Halloween until the night of the 2nd November, and this most Mexican of events is best experienced...
Zapotec Ruins of Monte Alban
Dating back to 500BC, the impressive Zapotec ruins of Monte Albán lie just 6 miles from the city of Oaxaca, and so are a must-visit in our humble...
Palenque
Located on the western edge of the Mayan empire within the state of Chiapas, the ancient and UNESCO protected site of Palenque is one of the...
Tulum
Tulum was a site of huge importance between 1000 and 1600 AD, and something of a haven for the elite of the Mayan world.
Chichén Itzá
The ruins of Chichén Itzá are on the UNESCO World Heritage list and the site was crowned one of the New Seven Wonders of the World in 2007.
Swimming with Whale Sharks
Ever swum with Whale Sharks? No? Well now is your chance...
Mayan Ruins in Yucatan
The Yucatan area has numerous sites with Mayan ruins. While some sites cover vast areas and have been well preserved or restored others are much...
Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve
Covering around 1.3million acres the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve is the largest protected area in the Mexican Caribbean.
Day at a Cenote
Cenotes (natural limestone sinkholes) come in different forms from the ‘open’ cenotes that can be found at ground level to the ‘semi-abierto’...
Surfing lessons at Los Cerritos Beach
Surfing lessons at Los Cerritos Beach is a great place for both surf aficionados and those who want to try their hand at it.
Sea Kayaking & Whale Watching at La Paz
Paddle your way around the vivid waters of the Baja Peninsula, camping on pristine beaches by night and spotting wildlife by day.
Camping on Espiritu Santo Island
This is a great place for those looking for an outdoor adventure, as it is likely to remain undeveloped having been sold to the Mexican government...
Corcovardo National Park
Described by National Geographic as 'the most biologically intense place on Earth', the Osa Peninsula is one big wildlife park but the jewel...
Surfing the Nicoya Peninsula
Warm waters, stunning beaches and fewer people than many surf spots in Costa Rica make the Nicoya Peninsula as close to surfing perfection as...
Volcano Tours
There are two highly impressive volcanoes within easy reach of San Jose, and well worth day trip's for anyone staying in Costa Rica for more...
La Paz Waterfall Gardens
Searching for birds and big cats in the wild is all well and good, but at the La Paz Waterfall Gardens you’ll find them all conveniently in...
Canopy Tours
Swoop through the cloud forest with the greatest of ease on a zip-wire, and discover the rainforest from a hanging bridge high up in the canopy.
Arenal
Although the perfectly conical volcano Arenal is spectacular to admire from afar, it’s best to get a bit closer to the action with a visit...
Riding Safari in Costa Rica
Undoubtedly the most scenic and fun way to travel between Arenal and Monteverde is on horseback, crossing straight over the old mountain trails...
Turtle Nesting Tour
Tortuguero National Park is home to some of the world’s finest nesting sites for endangered green turtles. This nocturnal guided tour allows...
Chichicastenango
The mountain village of Chichicastenango, three hours from Antigua, is especially worth visiting on Thursdays and Sundays when indigenous Mayans...
Showing 1 - 9 of 30 activities
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Luxury Hotels in Central America
Showing 1 - 9 of 30 hotels
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Rancho Humo Estancia
A nature lovers dream, Rancho Humo Estancia is off the well worn path in Costa Rica, located in the small town of Puerto Humo on the Nicoya Peninsula.
Hotel Esencia
Hotel Esencia is a chic beach retreat set on a two-mile stretch of white-sand beach along the ‘Riviera Maya’ of Mexico’s Yucatán coast.
Los Almendros de San Lorenzo
Just under an hour’s drive from San Salvador, Los Almendros de San Lorenzo is a boutique hotel housed in an old colonial hacienda in the heart...
La Cocotera
Bordered by the warm Pacific Ocean on one side and a peaceful estuary on the other, La Cocotera is one of the best properties in El Salvador...
El Mangroove
El Mangroove is set in the middle of a natural mangrove forest, right on the beachfront; chic yet relaxed, modern yet down-to-earth, with service...
Andaz Peninsula Papagayo Resort
The Andaz Peninsula Papagayo Resort is located on the Pacific coast of north-west Costa Rica in the scenic region of dry tropical forest, volcanic...
Four Seasons Costa Rica Peninsula Papagayo
The 2,400-acre Papagayo Peninsula is part of a giant, government-backed development project on Costa Rica’s Pacific coast. One day it will...
Kura Design Villas
Owned by a cool young Costa Rican couple, Kura Design Villas luxury hotel is tucked away in dense rainforest a couple of miles inland from the...
Arenas del Mar
If one phrase describes Arenas del Mar it’s ‘sustainable luxury’. Costa Rica already has a fine reputation for this sort of thing, but...
Alta Gracia
Sitting in the mountains of Perez Zeledon inland from the Central Pacific Coast, Alta Gracia is a new luxury spa hotel that opened in June 2015.
The Condesa
The Condesa is a stylish design hotel where all the furniture is individually crafted for each individual space.
Four Seasons Mexico City
The Four Seasons in Mexico City is ideally situated on the Paseo de la Reforma, near Chapultepec Park, the National Museum of Anthropology and...
Las Alcobas
Located in the fashionable district of Polanco, Las Alcobas is one of Mexico City’s newest and trendiest boutique hotels, surrounded by designer...
St Regis Mexico City
Overlooking the Pasea de la Reforma in the heart of Mexico City, the St Regis Mexico City sits within the 31 storey Torre Libertad, designed...
Uvence Arte + Hotel
Located in the oldest part of town, Uvence Arte + Hotel is a converted hacienda that offers guests an authentic yet luxurious experience.
Quinta Chanabnal
Quinta Chanabal is a modern Mayan palace, and is just a ten minute drive from the ancient Mayan ruins of Palenque.
Casa Oaxaca
Housed in an 18th Century colonial house, Casa Oaxaca has been painstakingly restored and modernised to create a designer boutique hotel.
Hotel Bo
In complete contrast to most San Cristobal hotels, Hotel Bo is a design forward boutique hotel, located a short stroll from the heart of town.
Quinta Real
Built in 1576, Quinta Real Oaxaca was formerly a convent, before being taken over and turned into municipal offices at the height of political...
Cuixmala
Cuixmala is set in 25,000 acres of land, lagoons and beaches on the Pacific coast of Mexico.
Hacienda San Antonio
With the philosophy of keeping the true familial experience of a hacienda at its heart, Hacienda San Antonio is one of our top pick locations...
Viceroy Riviera Maya
The Viceroy is a boutique beach front resort located just outside Playa del Carmen on Mexico's Yucatán peninsula.
Be Tulum
Leave the ankle-biters at home, Be Tulum is a boutique luxury hotel with an unbeatable beachfront location, and designed with relaxation in mind,...
Hacienda San José
Hacienda San José is a secluded ‘boutique hacienda’ located on the Yucatán peninsula, 24 miles south-east of Mérida.
Hacienda Temozon
Hacienda Temozon is located approximately 25 miles from the city of Mérida, in Mexico’s Yucatán peninsula.
Hacienda Uayamon
Hacienda Uayamon is located in the Yucatan Peninsula close to the walled city of Campeche on the Gulf of Mexico and next to the vast Mayan ruins...
Belmond Maroma Resort & Spa
Belmond Maroma Resort & Spa is a former coconut plantation turned idyllic beach resort located on a secluded stretch of the Riviera Maya, on...
Rosewood Mayakoba
The Rosewood Mayakoba is set in the heart of the 1,600 acre Rosewood resort, just 30 minutes south of Cancun and north of Playa del Carmen. With...
Casa Lecanda
Luxury boutique hotel Casa Lecanda is a wonderfully restored traditional Yucatecan home, located within the historical centre of Merida, Yucatan...
The Lodge at Chichen Itza
The Lodge at Chichen Itza sits within 100 acres of beautifully landscaped gardens, filled with tropical trees which are home to many species...
Showing 1 - 9 of 30 hotels
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Winter Sun: Escaping the Big Chill
We may have just enjoyed one of the most glorious summers in recent memory but come November we'll all be digging out the woolly jumpers, lining up our winter box-sets and - not to be too dramatic about it - wondering if we'll ever feel the warmth of the sun on our faces again. But fear not,…
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Cool Combos
Dynamic duos: think gin and tonic, French and Saunders, pineapple and pizza… okay, maybe not that last one, but the fact remains that some things are just better together - greater than the sum of their parts and thus elevated to legendary status (definitely not that last one, then). The…
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Capital Idea - the Best Capital Cities Around the World
Does your ideal holiday involve spending your days weaving through winding streets, coiffing coffee and local eats at hidden restaurants and immersing yourself in a completely new city? Then you've come to the right place. Here is our definitive list, which took much refining, of our…
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The Best of Mexico City
¡Bienvenido a Mexico City! Formerly known as DF (distrito federal) for the past two centuries, Mexico's capital changed its official name last year and is now known as Ciudad de Mexico (CDMX). Once centre of the Aztec Empire, latter day CDMX (catchier than one-time Tenochtitlan) sits gritty…
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Walk this Way: Walking Holidays
As we at Original Travel often shout about, it's not just about the destination but also how you get there - 'going on a journey' if you will. As it is International Walking Month we've been thinking about how dishy Levinson Wood is... no sorry we meant the simple pleasure of walking, of…
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